The burden on kids in this fast-moving world is ever-mounting. Students experience constant pressure to become the best in studies, sports, extra-curricular activities, and more. It becomes a huge responsibility for parents to make sure this pressure does not hurt the kids.
Mental illness is already spreading like wildfire. Anyone can experience mental health issues at any age. External emotional support is crucial today to help your children through tough and vulnerable phases.
Why Are Mental Health Issues Increasing in Children?
Several reasons are there for mental health issues like performance anxiety in many fields, over-expectations, and no time for themselves. Nobody asks about how they are feeling or if they are getting a decent playtime. The primary topic of conversation today is their achievements. The competitive and over-ambitious nature of parents is affecting children’s mental health.
How to Boost Your Child’s Mental Health?
There are several ways to boost your child’s mental health, and I’ll share some of the most effective ones with you.
1) Playtime
You can try to cut short the indoor time your child spends and replace it with outdoor playtime. You can motivate your child to indulge regularly in outdoor activities like playing with friends, cycling, cricket, football, etc.
There is also a strong possibility that your child refuses to play outdoors, which is fine. You do not need to force them to play outside. You can try mental games like board games, puzzles, word games, etc.
You can play word games like Scrabble or Boggle with them. These word games are a great way to improve their vocabulary and mental health. Puzzle games boost their thinking and problem-solving abilities. You can also take help from Google to rearrange letters to make all the possible words. It comes in handy when you can not make words with difficult letters like X, Q, W, Z, etc.
2) Diet
Food is essential for our physical and mental health too. The nutrients you get from your food affect both mental and physical growth. Ideal nutrients in your food can also help in regulating mood. You can add these foods to your child’s diet.
1) Salmon- rich in healthy fats, Omega 3 fats, Vitamin D, lentils, etc. It helps to reduce the chances of depression, regulate blood sugar levels, etc.
2) Bananas – Bananas can enhance your children’s mood because it affects tryptophan(an amino acid that produces serotonin). It helps children to have a sound sleep and gives them more energy.
3) Sweet Potatoes: These are rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene. Beta-carotene protects your brain cells from any damage. It also reduces stress on DNA, which lessens anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. Sweet potatoes also have more benefits, a single sweet potato gives you four times the vitamin A you need daily.
3) Vacations or Getaways
You might need to give more time to your family, especially kids. You can go for a trip far away from the daily chores of your life. It becomes necessary to break this daily cycle of going to school, tuition, homework, etc.
Breaking away from this repetitive lifestyle helps in the process of boosting mental health. You can also avoid all school and study-related questions on this trip. A vacation ensures everyone gets to relax with their family.
You can try to plan a trip closer to nature because it always lifts the mood of children. You can allow them to roam freely but keep an eye on them because wildlife is never completely safe.
4) A Positive Home Environment
No, I am not suggesting listening to devotional songs, speeches, and Gurus all the time. A positive environment means avoiding fights, false language, anger, etc., in front of your children.
You can also try to show more love and appreciation, celebrations for little achievements, etc. You might also want to involve them in family decisions to make them feel important. Proper, smooth, and polite communication in your house can change the vibe and environment.
5) Spend More Time With Animals and Nature
Spending time with animals and nature lowers stress hormones. It also releases oxytocin which makes you feel calmer and happier. A hug from a dog or the purring sound of your cat can bust stress.
You can adopt a pet because it teaches children the importance of care, love, loyalty, responsibility, and more. It also keeps them occupied and happy.
Your children can also experience the same things in a park, garden, woods, and more. The greenery, wildlife, and the freedom to roam, shout, play, and run freely can make a huge difference.
Conclusion
You should never leave your children alone if they are battling mental health. Small changes like these can change your child’s life completely. You can also try concerning a doctor if the problem continues.
Most importantly, you can give your children the freedom to do things they like. You can check on their classmates, friends, and other people to ensure that nobody is bullying, teasing, or hurting them in any way. So, all the best if you are fighting a battle like this. Make sure to try your best to change things before visiting a doctor.
